Here are three bodyweight exercises that utilizes Plyometrics and works on multi-directional movements. If you are looking for very advanced functional core exercises, then these three are for you! These exercises will really work not just your core but your cardiovascular system as well, so be prepared to sweat it out.

The exercises are shown by Naudi Aguilar of Functional Patterns. He mostly trains MMA fighters but I find his exercises useful for other sports that works on agility, strength, power, and balance.

Here’s the list of the exercises with a brief description of each. They are done for 5 to 6 repetitions per exercise, with no rest in between exercises:

1. Plyometric Step-Lunge with rotation – Doing lunges is hard enough for most people, and doing plyometric lunges or ‘split squats’ is even harder. But here, Naudi Aguilar shows how to do a plyometric step-lunge (short stance) while twisting in the air to switch between legs! Proper form is definitely a must to keep yourself from busting your knee and get power from your hips.

2. Donkey Kong – the name sounds playful but this one’s really a killer. Starting on a deep squat position, you roll down on your back and then roll back to squat and stand up, then quickly exploding to a forward jump. Get your oxygen tank ready after this one!

3. Plank with Contralateral Arm and Leg Lift – for those who love planks, this one may be familiar with you. But the plank comes after those two explosive exercises, so you’ll be catching your breath a lot while holding this plank position which makes it harder. For those who aren’t familiar, it’s a full plank with an arm and the opposite leg lifted off the floor while holding the proper form of the plank. It can be quite challenging given that you’re still catching your breath at this time. Naudi does it for 10 counts or 10 long breaths per side.

Here’s the video:

As a gentle reminder, always make sure that you get enough rest in between sets. Don’t force yourself to finish it if you’re feeling dizzy in between the exercises.